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The Barrie Colts defenceman, slated to go in the top four of this summer’s NHL Draft, scored four goals and added an assist last weekend in an 8-5 win over the OHL Kingston Frontenacs.

Even the well-spoken blueliner had difficulty explaining the offensive explosion.

“It was crazy,” Ekblad said. “I don’t know.

“My stick kinda got lucky.”

Ekblad, who will captain Team Orr in Wednesday’s CHL Top Prospects Game (7 p.m. at the Dome, Sportsnet West), doesn’t need luck.

But he could probably use a breather.

The 17-year-old has had a busy month playing with Team Canada’s world junior entry in Sweden, rejoining the Colts and then jetting over to Calgary for the Top Prospects tilt.

But he insists the rapid change in time zones is not taking a toll on him.

“It’s not that bad,” Ekblad insisted. “If you get good rest at night, you’re fine.

“It’s been a lot but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

“It’s a quick turnaround. There’s some time changes from Sweden to Barrie to Calgary. But you have to battle through it.”

The 6-foot-4, 217-pounder, who slipped to third in the NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings released Monday, said he doesn’t waste much time thinking about rankings. But he said Frontenacs centre Sam Bennett, who won’t play Wednesday due to a groin injury, is deserving of the top spot.

“He had a great year last year, and he’s had an unbelievable start to this season,” Ekblad said.

“It was my job the other night to play against him and shut him down, and I take pride in doing that against most of the good players in the league.”

Ekblad is more concerned with what happens on the ice and is looking forward to Wednesday’s game as another opportunity to showcase his skills.

He said he’s been following the Top Prospects Game for years.

“The first time I ever heard of this game it was in Windsor,” Ekblad said. “My entire minor midget team got to go see it.

“I got to see guys like (Minnesota Wild forward) Nino Niederreiter do that one-handed backhand to the top corner. It was pretty special.

“Obviously, it’s a pretty prestigious event.”

Wearing the ‘C’ in the prospects showcase is a distinction he isn’t taking for granted.

“It’s a great honour,” he said. “Of course, there’s been a lot of great captains in the past.

“But it’s a great event and anybody on this team could be a captain or assistant.”